SC orders NAB to de-notify three retired servicemen

Panel formed to probe 197 officials, whose appointments and promotions were inconsistent

ISLAMABAD: The top court on Wednesday ordered National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman to immediately de-notify the services of three retired military officials who were inducted in the body without due process and were refusing to opt for premature retirement.

In compliance with the previous order, Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman Chaudhry told the three-judge bench that DG Lahore Buhan, DG Quetta Tariq Mahmood, and DG Karachi Shabir Ahmed were not willing to get premature retirement. However, the bench observed that these officials will be entitled to get pensioner benefits. These three military officials were illegally inducted in NAB in 2003.

Meanwhile, the three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim also formed a committee headed by secretary establishment division to examine cases of 197 NAB officials, whose appointments and promotions are inconsistent with the department’s law.



The committee has been directed to complete the task within two months. Other members of the committee are Director HR NAB Shakeel Malik and a representative of Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).

Earlier, Secretary Establishment Tahir Shahbaz suggested the formation of a committee.

The bench observed that 95 officials, who did not fulfil the prerequisite at the time of their appointment, were recruited by NAB. Likewise, they also found that promotions of 137 officials are inconsistent. However, 35 officials have already retired. The bench has asked NAB to issue show cause notices to 102 officials and appear before the committee, which will decide their cases within two months.



Further, the bench expressed hope that all vacancies will be filled on merit and in view of Article 240 of the Constitution.

It further observed that though NAB law allows its chairman to exercise his discretionary power regarding the appointments of officials but that power should not be abused.

Justice Hani observed that 17 judges cannot rule the country.

The bench also observed that DG NAB Alia Rasheed’s initial appointment and qualification were inconsistent to NAB law.

Chairman NAB told the bench that she is a competent officer and they will accommodate her in the department.

When Alia stated that her appointment was made to show the soft face of NAB, another member of the bench, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, wondered that NAB’s image should be hard so that the people could be deterred from corruption.

Earlier, the establishment secretary and the NAB chairman admitted that nine officers were illegally inducted in the bureau.

Chaudhry said that two of the illegally inducted officers had already retired, while two officers availed early retirement, and two others rejoined their parent departments.